cg! book club

Check out the CG! editors' favorite reads!

Most Read

Hi, CG!s — welcome to the first meeting of the CosmoGIRL! Online Book Club. Some people say teens don't read, but we know that's not true. You love books as much as Oprah's Book Club members. That's why we decided to launch this space to talk books, more books, and even more books. We'll be reviewing the hottest new titles each month — plus, we'll do Q&As with the authors and even give you a few surprise treats. Can anyone say "alternative endings" and "lost chapters"?

For our first month, we thought we'd share with you the all-time-favorite books of the CG! staff. Write us back and tell us about your fave books. And go read some of our choices if you haven't already. We'd love to hear what you think!

Lots of love, The CG! Team

Susan Schulz, editor-in-chief

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

"I read this in college and I felt like I could TASTE it. The book is written so vividly, and I just got totally sucked in by Janie's journey of trying to find herself, making mistakes, and ultimately finding true love. I fell in love with Tea Cake along with her. I won't say what happens, but it is just heart-wrenching and inspiring at the same time. Even though I read it so long ago, I can still remember specific scenes in the book — I just devoured every word so completely. And I cried when it was over because I wanted to see what else would happen to the characters — that's how attached to them I got. I hope this inspires you to go pick it up! Let me know what you think — I hope I didn't oversell it!

Rachel Aydt, research director

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy, and Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

I cried when I finished Anna Karenina, because I knew there would never again be a time when I was reading it for the first time. From the opening page, it completely took me full throttle into another world that felt universal and timeless: "All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way." And Little Women made me want to be a writer. I used to pretend I was Jo March and sit in my bedroom eating apples and reading books. I felt like I was a part of that family of sisters; each was so different, and so relatable.

Cheryl Brody, associate editor

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath, and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares

Of course I'm drawn to the fact that The Bell Jar is about a girl who interns at a magazine and loves writing, but more than anything, this book is so beautifully written and shows the innermost workings of a girl who is begging for help. And Sisterhood: I just can't get enough of these books — they just make me happy when I read them. And I can really relate to all four girls — they all have to deal with such different life cycles that every girl has dealt with at some point in her life (either on her own or through a friend).

Rachel Chang, entertainment editor

Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling.

Not that this series needs any introduction, but fantasy and magic books were never my thing until my little cousin encouraged me to pick up the first book. The incredibly detailed Potter world was so REAL that I couldn't help turning the pages because I HAD to know what happened. It was like J.K. Rowling had actually been there and experienced Harry's adventures and was sharing her little secret with us. And how can you not want to get in on a secret like that? Especially when it has to do with magic! ;)

Chandra Czape Turner, executive editor

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

I read this when I was studying abroad in England as a junior in college. I was actually living in the place where the book was based, but in a totally different time. Jane was an orphan who survived one tragedy after another, but she never seemed to lose her sense of herself. She had every reason to be broken and depressed, but she was spunky and independent — her spirit was never broken. Finally, at the end of the book, luck and love come her way. The story really resonated with me. I think I connected so much because I was just figuring out who I wanted to be at the time and what I wanted in life.

Deanne Hess, senior Web editor

Angels and Demons by Dan Brown

This is currently my all-time favorite book. I read it in two days, despite the fact that it's well over 500 pages — I just couldn't put it down! I'm a sucker for any fantasy, mystery, or historical novel that combines secrets, an occult following, and/or a plot against a powerful figurehead. Obviously other faves include any of the Harry Potter books, The Zero Game, and The People of Pineapple Place. On the other hand, I have also read every single book that Sophie Kinsella, Meg Cabot, and Lauren Weisberger have ever written. Go figure!

Jen Goldstein, senior beauty and fitness editor

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

I absolutely love this story of a young teen growing up poor in turn-of-the-century Brooklyn. It made me thankful for living comfortably and having caring parents, and it made me want to move to New York City! I especially love the main character, Francie, who is a bookworm and writer, like me.

Mai Hoang, research editor

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

This is an epic romance between the beautiful (but married) noblewoman Anna and the dashing Count Vronksy. Set in imperial Russia (think ball gowns, chandeliers, and caviar), it's widely considered the greatest novel ever written (heck, even Oprah picked it for her book club). It's long and probably required reading for AP English, but it's a very juicy read. Who says chick lit can't be literary?

Autumn Whitefield-Madrano, assistant managing editor

The Toughest Indian in the World by Sherman Alexie

It's a short story collection that deals with friendship, family, and dark stuff in American history — somehow, though, every story in it is about love. My favorite story, "South by Southwest," makes me cry every time I read it because it's filled with such beautiful love and longing — but other stories make me laugh out loud hysterically. I'm a quarter Indian, and reading about a wide variety of other Native Americans prompts me to think about my heritage, but you don't have to be Indian to adore his work. He has a great new young adult novel out too: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Recommended! It won the 2007 National Book Award!

The Secret History by Donna Tartt, and The Constant Gardener by John le Carré

In The Secret History, you are sucked into the world of these college kids, and the plot keeps you guessing. And The Constant Gardener is a compelling story about a man on the run who is trying to find the truth about his murdered wife ... you don't want to put it down.

Rachel Mount, assistant to the editor-in-chief

Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand

I lugged this around for a whole summer because my favorite professor said I should read it. It's not an easy book, but it makes you question everything about the economy and government. Plus, there's almost a secret club of people who have read Atlas (and Rand's other famous book, The Fountainhead). Try reading it in a coffee shop, and I guarantee a cute college boy will stop by to discuss Rand's theories!

Jill Percia, assistant beauty and fitness editor

She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb

This book follows a girl named Dolores from her childhood to adulthood. The pages take us through 35 years of her life and tell the story of betrayal by her own father, family members, and her boyfriends. She eventually becomes depressed and kind of goes crazy from all the trauma that has been inflicted on her from her early years. I like this book because it's about overcoming almost any obstacle, no matter how hard it might be. And I think that the topics the author touches on are very relatable. Relationships with men, family dysfunction, weight problems, depression, and madness are a part of Dolores's unstable life. What's interesting is that it all stems from her upbringing (I think). It's a very inspiring story and although it seems sad throughout most of the book, the ending is very uplifting. By the end of this book, you feel like you've lived in her shoes and have been on her life journey. It's that well written! And the most interesting part is that it's written by a man, which is shocking because he really gets into a woman's emotions. Everyone I've ever recommended this book to has loved it!

Michelle Ribeiro, deputy editor

Steppenwolf by Herman Hesse

The first time I read this book, I was 17. I just remember being confused that I understood the protagonist, Harry Haller, so well because, well, he was a man twice my age! But I did understand him. Because Harry was, at his core, a person who felt disconnected from society in so many ways. And I think we all feel that way sometimes, no? But more than that, I admired his endeavor to discover all of the parts of himself. He knew that everyone has many, many selves inside of them — and that no one person is the same person all the time. If that sounds crazy to you, that's all the more reason why you should read it!

Tara Roberts, senior editor

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

Because it makes you dream bigger and about wider possibilities about our existence as human beings than you may have ever imagined before; because it makes you believe in and stand up for what's righteous and good; and because it proves that you can do something that makes a difference and matters to the world even when you're a kid.

Jess Strul, editorial assistant

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

It's a classic that gets better and better each time I read it. Plus, I love the spunky and insightful spirit of Scout. She's so CG!